What Can
We Do?
A Clinician’s Duty:
Educate yourself
Use your privilege
Address the shame
Self-awareness / Reflect
Educate yourself
Use psychoeducation for yourself and clients
Dispel any common abortion myths
Learn about changing abortion information and laws
Use the privilege that clinicians hold in systemic spheres to create awareness in the field of psychology and enact systemic change
The experience of stigma at its emotional core is shame. Clinicians can help clients tap into self-compassion which is defined as, “being touched by one’s suffering, and having a desire to alleviate the suffering, and to heal oneself with kindness.”
Through reflection, build self-awareness. Clinicians must be aware of their own potential stigmatizing beliefs and shame. Clinicians have the potential to cause unintentional harm and perpetuate abortion stigma in the therapy room.
Go to the Reflect section to learn more
